ABSTRACT

In Myanmar, 70% of the rural population engages in rice farming for their livelihoods. Since 2013, the government and development projects have introduced a variety of sustainable rice cultivation practices such as improved fertilizer-, water-, pest- and post-harvest management. A mixed method approach was used to gain a better understanding of adoption behaviour and livelihood changes. One hundred and twenty nine farmers participated in the study which revealed the adoption of sustainable practices; reasons include higher yields, reduced costs and labour savings. Reasons for non-adoption included unsuitable or expensive practices. We find that profitability analysis and partial budgeting calculations revealed an estimated increase in income (>0) of 113 USD/ha (SD = 90.64 USD/ha), due to an increase in yield and reduced costs. Furthermore, in-depth interviews revealed that farmers (n = 32) used this extra income for religious and social activities, for food, health care and education. They were able to expand their farm business and produce rice more sustainably. The paper thus contributes to the adoption literature by linking development project outputs to outcomes and impact. Concerted efforts by the government and development projects can enable farmers to produce cereals more sustainably and experience positive changes to their livelihoods and strengthen rural development at local and regional level.

摘要

在缅甸，70% 的农村人口以种植水稻为生。自 2013 年以来，政府和发展项目引入了各种可持续水稻种植实践，例如改进肥料、水、害虫和收获后管理。使用混合方法来更好地了解收养行为和生计变化。129 名农民参与了这项研究，揭示了可持续做法的采用；原因包括更高的产量、降低的成本和节省劳动力。不采用的原因包括不合适或昂贵的做法。我们发现，盈利能力分析和部分预算计算显示，由于产量增加和成本降低，估计收入增加 (>0) 为 113 美元/公顷（SD = 90.64 美元/公顷）。此外，n  = 32) 将这笔额外收入用于宗教和社会活动、食品、医疗保健和教育。他们能够扩大农场业务并更可持续地生产大米。因此，本文通过将发展项目的产出与成果和影响联系起来，为采纳文献做出了贡献。政府和发展项目的共同努力可以使农民能够更可持续地生产谷物，并在他们的生计方面经历积极的变化，并加强地方和区域层面的农村发展。